You may notice these stickers all over temples and shrines in Japan. They are called senjafuda (千社札) which means thousand-shrine tag and they are more or less something of a proof of travel mark. Kilroy was here, maybe? Well, not quite…
They are also for good luck. In fact, the higher one pastes them, the better. Closer to God, maybe. So you will often see them on ceilings or other high places of the shrine and temple. The name comes from the fact that early travelers on religious pilgrimages would try to visit as many famous religious spots as possible.
Many temples/shrines have banned the practice. Too many cheap stickers using cheap glue that damages the wood. Some do still allow it, but you do have to get permission. Usually that involves paying a fee and going through a prayer ritual first. As far as I have been able to find, the only rules then for applying them are they can’t be placed on anything too important, and they can’t cover anyone else’s senjafuda.
Some people apply them in spots where they will be seen, others try to hide them in spots where they might be better protected from the wind and rain. Oh, and getting them up so high? There are special walking stick type things called sao which do the trick. These things open up to extend up to 5 meters (~16 ft).
This is from Rokusho Shrine in Okazaki, by the way. See other shots from Rokusho. Also, here’s another I took a while ago that shows some senjafuda.
More
Interested in more? The Japan Times had a great write up a while ago that goes into more detail. Read it here.
Show Me Japan
Go check out this week’s Show Me Japan for photos from all over the country. It’s another great one!
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So I take it they stay up as long as the paper and glue are still hold together? Does that mean there are some really old senjafuda?
Pretty much. Some are very old. They stay up until they just naturally peel off from wind and rain and whatnot.
in many shrines you can only see the old and weathered stickers, because no new ones are allowed. And I agree with the ban, because you don’t really need stickers if you have your pilgrimage book where you collect stamps.
Yeah, I agree too. I can just imagine the “cute” stickers that would be applied today… hello kitty all over shrines.
Ohhh, I did wonder about whether there was some sort of ban in places, since many I’ve seen are rather crusty. Thanks for the confirmation! ^^
You’re welcome
I really found this post interesting! I’ve seen them before but didn’t question them. I will be looking for these the next time I visit some temples and shrines!
I also ignored them for the longest time. I forget what made me notice them, but when I did I immediately wanted to know the story behind them.
Glad you found the info useful.